Time switch



July 31, 1923. 1,463,253

J. F. CERMAK TIME SWITCH Filed Nov. 24 y3.920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @affPatented July 3l, 1923.

JEROME IF. CERMAK, OF BROOKLYN', NEW YORK.

TIME SNITCH.

Application filed November 24, 1920. Serial No. 426,193.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEROME F. CERMAK, a citizen of the United States,residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New `York,have invented certain new and useful improvements in Time Switches, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relatesto time switches of the type which may be set tocause a current to be automatically turned on and off at certain hoursof the day or night, and has for an objectfto provide a switchingattachment which may be readily andeasily attached and connected to anordinary alarm or other similar clock so as to be operated by the timetrain mechanism thereof, which has a wide rangeof adjustment of theperiods of a day during which the current will be turned on,

or off, which has a quick movement in malringand breaking; the circuit,and which is inexpensive to manufacture, simple in adjustment, reliableand durable in use. Other objects and advantages will be apparent fromthe*V following description and the novel features of my invention willbe particularly pointed out in claims.

The invention comprises 'the details and arrangements of parts whichwill be described in detail in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein l is an elevation of vthe time sjvitch;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the switch with the clock and cover removed;

lfig. 3 is a section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

t is a horizontal section of the mech--` anism shown inFig. 2;

5 is a rear elevation of one of insulatingF` elements Fig. 6 is a. sideelevation of the sa e; l ig. 7 is a front elevation of one of Contactsegments;

8 is a side elevation of the same; 9 is an end elevation 'of the easing;and

Fig. l0 is a diagram illustrating the aplication of a switch 'toelectric circuit.

ln the illustrated embodiment provide a clock l of any suitableconstruction which may conveniently be of the type of the known alarmclock. ln place of the usual settinghatten for the minute hand arbor"provide e 'special hutten Small the 'the

ment is secured to the clock.

pinion 3 thereon. A plate 4c is secured to the rear face of the clock inany suitable manner such as by screws 5 and acts as a support for theswitching' mechanism. Projecting from this plate is a rod 6 upon whichis rotatably mounted a sleeve 7 having a flange 8 at one end andexternal screw threads at the other end, the flange 8 being adjacent theplate 4. Upon the sleeve and abutting; against the flange 8 l mount byay force lit or by a lrey a gear 9 having' teeth meshing' with thepinion 3 when the attach- A disc 10 of suitable insulating materialhaving an integral sleeve l1 concentric-ally extending therefrom is alsosupported upon the sleeve i by a force fit or by a key with theinsulating disc l0 abuttingr the gear 9. Surrounding the sleeve 11 andconnected for rotation therewith by means of a force fit or key is aconducting' sleeve l2 having` two reduced shoulders 13 and 14 thereon.Upon the sleeve and abutting,T the vshoulder i3 is fixed an insulatingdisc l5 and upon the sleeve and abutting against the shoulder 14 are a.plurality of contact arms or segments 16. These arms are reduced inthickness at the end passinglr over the sleeve 12 so that the arms willhave upon their outer end a contact surface equal to the thickness oftwo of the arms at the inner ends. The Contact elements in theembodiment illustrated are arranged in two groups, each groupcomp-rising` alternate arms or segments, and by reason of the reducedinner ends, the outer ends of the arms of either group will haveabutting` faces. Upon the insulating; sleeve ll are loosely mounted apair of insulating elements l?, each of whie has an an 18 withanaperture through-which the sleeve passes and a Hanne i9 extendingperpendicularly from the outer end and from one side edge. vriheextending' from side edge curves hackwardly and outwardly with respectto the direction of rotation the arms so as f v, cam surface leading tof ri the flange portion upon the outer end of each arm. 'Ehe side 20opposite to 'the 'langed side edge of the arm is either radial withrespect to the axis of rotation or slightly ik 'The contact arms the i8of the insulating elements are hel-d Yplacement alonethe mea-ns of asplit washer 22 and a nut 23 threaded upon the end of the sleeves 7, aflat Washer 24 being preferably interposed between the split washer andthe arms of the insulating elements.

Each contact arm or segment is provided with a `pin 24 uponcorresponding faces and adjacent the outer ends of the arms. The innerfaces of the insulating elements 17 against which the groups of contactsegments abut, and the faces of the contact segments in each groupagainst which the pins of that group abut are provided with elongatedarcuate grooves or slots 25 having centers of curvature in the axis ofrotation. By this pin and slot arrangement between each insulatingelement and the contact arms of its related group, the arms can beseparated in a Jfan like manner with respect to each other and theirrelated element, so as to provide la contact surface upon their outerends of a variable length and extending variable distances from beneaththe peripheral flange 19. lWhen the arms and related element arecompletely contracted, the Contact arms will be completely concealedbeneath the flange 19 and thus may be said to be concealed within arecess or cavity in the related insulating element. The end contact armor segment 16 of each group has a radial or undercut trailing edge andis provided with an arm 2G extend* ing parallelwith the axis ot rotationand outwardly for adjustment to extend or contract the arms ofeachgroup. The side edge 20 of each insulating element is provided Vwitha recess 27 into which the arm 26 may move and permit the attachedsegment 16 to be moved entirely beneath the flange 19. The insulatingelements are also provided with outwardly extending arms Q8 by means ofwhich their adjustment on the sleeve 11 can be accomplished. A- dialplate 29 is threaded upon the end of sleeve 7 and can be locked inadjusted positions thereon by a lock nut 30. The periphery of the dialplate is provided-with graduations 31 representing the hours oi" the dayand suitable subdivisions thereof. The arms 26 and Q8 are provided withangular extensions S2 which extend from the arms toward the periphery ofthe dial plate and carry on their outer ends clamping means by whichthey can be secured in adjusted positions to the dial. Small indicatorplates 33 each having a finger overhanging 'the dial are adjustablycarried by the extensions 32 by means of screws 34 passing through slots35 of the plates and into 'the extensions. Operating lbuttons 36 aresecured to the extensions 3Q by means of reduced threaded ends whichpass through clamping plates 37 overhangv'mg the dial plate. Turning a.button in one dijrection or the other lwill clamp the dial plate betweenthe cooperating plate 37 and the extension 32 which carries that buttonand plate. Each insulating element and the contact arms or segments atthe ends of the groups can be adjusted as desired around the dial plateand extend the exposed peripheral surface of the segments any desiredamount, or the segments can be en- 'tirely disposed beneath theperipheral flange 19, and the elements and segments clamped in thesepositions.

A pair of brackets 38 extend from the plate 4 and pivotally mountcontact brushes or arms 39 and 40` preferably' o'l' insulating material,each having a contact plate 41 upon its tree end. The contact plate 41oit the arm 40 bears upon the conducting sleeve 12, and that of the arm39 bears upon the insulating elements and the contact arms or segments,rbeing limited in its movement toward the axis ot rotation of thesegments by a projection 42 of its supporting bracket 38. The arms 39and 40 are yieldingly urged toward the axis of rotation'of the Contactsegments and into engagement with their cooperating parts by springs 43connected between the arms orbrushes and their supporting brackets 38.The arm 39 is provided with a wire which connects its contact plate 41with ay st tionary terminal contact 45, and thev arm 40 is provided witha wire 4G which connects its yContact plate 41 with a stationaryterminal con tact 47.

The plate 4 also supports a shell 48 ot inilating material or having aninsulating lining which together with the plate 4 forms a casingenclosing the major portion of the switch mechanism. the. shell havingan apei ture 49 permitting the passage of the rod 6, sleeve 7. and arms26 and 254. and another aperture 50 lor the passage ol" the removablesetting button 2. The shell is secured to thel plate 4 by screws 51 orother suitable means. The shell is provided with an l. shaped slot 52 inthe end adjacent the Contact brushes. and an operating button 555 whichis pivotcd to thc end oi contact brush armf'l) for move ment sidewise ofthe arm. extends through the slot of the casing so as to be manuallyoperable from the exterior thereof. The vertical branch 54 of the slotlies in the plane of oscillations oi the contact brush arm, and thenormal oscillationsl of the brush arm. as it is cammed outwardly by theinsulating element` then allowed to snap upon the conducting segmentsand then tree of the segments, do not carry the button away trom theclosed end portion of the branch 54. Suitable indications upon thecasing show the condition ol' the switch by the position of the button.lf the button is depressed to the bottom ot' the branch 54 the brush arm39 will be swung upwardly away from the rotating switch parts so as tobe unaffected `thereby llfi peripheral distance along their combinedouter edge, means for adjusting said segments expansively orcontractivelyA and for holding them in adjusted positions and securedfor rotation with the sleeve, astationary contact element yieldinglyheld against the combined periphery of the segments, means for limitinginward movement of the contact element when out of contactwith thesegments, and circuit connections to said sleeve and saidA element.

3. In a time switch, the combination of agear, a clock time train meansfor connecting the gear to the clock time train to be driven thereby, aconducting sleeve mounted for rotation with the gear and ,insulatedtherefrom, a plurality of conducting segments mounted to rotate on saidsleeve, and having a fan like expansion and contraction to therebylengthen or shorten the effective peripheral distance along theircombined outer edge, means for adjusting said segments eX- pansively orcontractively and for holding them in adjusted positions and secured forrotation with the sleeve, a stationary contact element yieldingly heldagainst the combined periphery of the segments, means tor limitinginward movement of the contact element WhenA out of contact vvith thesegments, and circuit connections to said sleeve and said element.

4. In a time switch, the combination of a gear, a clock time train meansfor connecting the gear to the clock time train to be driven thereby, aconducting sleeve mounted for rotation With the gear and insulatedtherefrom, a plurality of conducting segments mounted to rotate on saidsleeve, and having pin and slot connections between themselves so as tohave a fan like expansion and contraction and thereby lengthen orshorten the effective peripheral distance along their combined outeredge, an insulating element mounted to rotate on said sleeve and alsohaving a pin and slot connection with an end conducting segment, saidinsulating element having va cavity therein into which the segments canmove when contracted, an arm carried by the other end segment, means-for adjusting the arm and insulating element about the sleeve to exposeany desired length of the periphery of the segments and secure their. inadjusted position for rotation with the sleeve, a spring operatedcontact arm adapted to be cammed outwardly against the action of itsspring by the insulating element and allowed 'to snap inwardly upon theexposed peripheral portion of the segments and then off of the end ofthe exposed segment, and a second contact arm in continuous engagementwith the sleeve.

5. In a time switch, the combination or a gear, a clock time train meansfor connecting th'egear to the clock time train to be driven thereby, aconducting sleeve mounted tor tation with the gear and insulatedtherefrom, a plurality of conducting segments mounted to rotate on saidsleeve, and having pin and slot connections between themselves so as tohave a fan like expansion and 'contraction and thereby lengthen orshorten the effective peripheral distance along their combined outeredge, means for` adjusting said segments expansively or contractivelyand for holding them in adjusted positions and secured for rotation withthe sleeve,- a stationary contact element yicldingly held against thecombined periphery of the segments, means for limiting inward movementof the Contact element when out of contact with the segments, means forshifting the contact element out oi' contact with the segments andlatching it in that position and circuit connections to said sleeve andsaid element.

o. In a time switch, the combination of a gear, a clock time train meansfor connect-ing the gear to the clock time train to be driven thereby, aconducting sleeve mounted for rotation With the gear and insulatedtherefrom, a plurality of conducting segments mounted to rotate on saidsleeve, and having pin and slot connections between themselves so as tohave a fan like expansion and contraction and thereby lengthen orshorten the effective peripheral distance along their combined outeredge, an insulating element mounted to rotate on said sleeve and alsohaving a pin and slot connection with an end conducting segment saidinsulating element having a cavity therein into which the segments canmove When contracted, an arm carried by the other end segment, means toradjusting the arm and insulating element `about the sleeve to expose anydesired length of the periphery of the segments and secure them inadjusted position for rotation with the sleeve, a spring operatedcontact arm adapted to be cammed outwardly against the action of itsspring by the insulating element and allowed to snap inwardly upon theexposed peripheral portion of the segments and then ofi' of the end ofthe exposed segment, means 'for shitting the con'- tact arm against theaction of its spring and out of contact with the segments and insulatingelement and 'for locking the arm in this position and means forconnecting a external circuit to said sleeve and'contaetl i1 t' v 'lducting sleeve, eno

v`for a period determined by the length .adapted to engage the arcuateContact su mounted on the conducting` sleeve enc hav ing yarcuateperiphegal edge portions, cooperating Ineens between each segment andthe'. adjacent segment for causing' the seg;- nients to separate in atun-like mann end form a conduct-ingA element of e length, means foradjustably securinkey the iiist and last segments to the dial for tationtherewith, means for connecting one branch oil an external circuit tothe ccna coifiducting; arm connected to the other branch oi the eri'erulcircuit and adapted to Contact with the peripheral edge portions oi2 thesegments' ot the conducting; element formed by the seggments during eachrevolutionnot the sleeve.

8. ln e, time switch, clock mechanism, a conducting' sleeve connected tobe driven thereby, a. plurality of arms mounted to rotate on the sleeveand having; arcuate pe- `ripheries on their outer ends, means "or"adjusting the arms in e tendilze intime to provice renate contactsurface on their out ends o1 variable length and tor curing them to thesleeve in adjusted positions, a relatively stationarv contact a in tace,and -nieans Jor connecting` the con arm and sleeve 'to an er. yernalcircuit.

9. ln a time switch, clock mechanism, a conducting sleeve connected tobe driven by said mechanism, a plurality ot contact elements edjustablein a tan-like manner on sold sleeve and having;v arcuate Contact sur-`'aces on their outer ends to provide :i contact surface of variablelength, a Contact arm for engaging and meltingy en' *f Contact with theContact surface during` its movement for an interval deoendcnt upon thevariable length ot' the suriace, und a second Contact arm engaging` andmultim;l electrical contact with the sleeve to coinplete the circuitthrough the switch.

10. ln a time switch, clock mechanism,

moving support, a conducting` sleeve can ried by the support, aninsulating element adjustable on the sunnort and having a recess in oneradial wall, a plurality ot contact elements having; Contact surfaces ontheir outer ends, mounted on the sleeve so es to move into and out ofthe recess in the insulating element, a pin and slot connection betweenthe Contact elements'` und the insulating element for causing saidelements to extend and contract in a 'fan-,like manner with theinsulating' element at one end, the elements when completely retractedlying entirely within the recess ot the insulating' element, an armconnect-ed to the other end contact element, means tor adjusting the armand insulating element to extend or contract the elements and to seHcure them in adjusted positions to the support for movement therewith,e. contact brush.

biased toward the supportl to be cemined outwardly by inclement, allowedto snep onto the nts if' extended, and at the ter snap tree thereof, und

with the sleeve to fx @Gill .loecl the recess o1 the insulating`elemennnn :irm connected to the other end Contact element, means foradjusting' the erin and insulating;A element to extend or contract theelements and to secure them in adjusted positions to Athe support formovement therewith, e contact brush biased toward the support andadapted to be cannned outwardly by the in suluting element, allowed tosnap onto the 'font'` t elements it' extended, and it the end the lattersnap tree thereo't, and a brush contacting with the sleeve to completo acircuit through Lne sleeve and contact ele ln a time switch, clockmechanism, a ng support driven by the clocl:

a conducting sleeve carried l enism,

support, an instlating; element hun O' un the erm mou: fl for `iotationabout the s. ol" rotation oit the support and a flange exiending; rip3it to tue arm along;- one radial side edge and the outer end, unlurelity of conducting;A segments adjutablv bar `fied by the conductingsleeve, said segments and insulating element forming a ,group having pinand slot connections between them permitting e fan like extension orcontraction of the segments and elements, the seg'- inents when, incontracted position beine' entirely beneath the ,1r-lange and when ineX- tended positions projecting variable distances troni beneath theflange, ineens for adjusting the insulating elementand the opposite endsegment orp the. `group for extend' or contracting` the segments andclomenisrand for securing` them 'for rotation with the support, acontact brush bearingupon the conducting sleeve, and a second contactbrush biased toward the axis of rotation ot the. sements and adapted asthe yrotation of the support proceeds to be cammed outwardly by theflange and allowed to snap upon the entended segments to malte the l) illOl) circuit and then subsequently snap away from the end of the latterto break the circuit.

13. In a time switch., a clock mechanism, a support operated by themechanism, an 1nsulatling elenient'carried thereby and having an abrupttrailing end, a contact device ot conductinrf material, adapted to bedisposed beneath the insulatingg` element and extensible to projectvariable distances from the abrupt end there'oi, means for adjusting'the device to project a desired distance'from the abrupt end. means forconnecting one side ol an electric Circuit to said device, a Contactbrush connected to the other side of said circuit and biased toward theelement and device whereby as the support moves the brush will be cammedoutwardly by the element and allowed to snap over the abrupt end andinwardly upon the device to complete the circuitninl to subsequentlyupon a continued movement of the device, snap oliA ot' tbe-abrupt endthereof and open the cixieuit.

la. In a time switch, a casing, rotary contact mechanisn'i disposedwithin the casing, clock mechanism for rotating the mechanism, a pivotedContact brush adapted to cnlgjanewith the rotary mechanism and make andbreak the circuit, means for biasingr the brush into engagement with themechanism. an operating button pivoted t0 the contact brush for movementin a plane transverse to the plane of movement of the brush, said casinghaving an angular slotin a wall thereof through which the button passes,one branch of the slot being,` parallel with the plane of movement olthe brush and in which branch the button oscillates duringr the normaloperation of the device. said button being operable when shifted to theintersection @t the branches to shift the brush out ot engagement withthe rotating mechanism and permanently open the circuit controlledthereby, and by lateral movement into the other branchof the slot lockthe brush in disengaged position.

15. ln n time switch. a casing, rotary contact mechanism disposed withinthe casing, clock mechanism for rotating' the mechanism a pivotedcontact brush adapted to engage with the rotary mechanism and make andbreak the circuit. means for biasing ,the brush into engagement with themechanism, an operating button connected to the contact brush tormovement. in a plane transverse to the plane of movement ot the brush,said casingr having an angular slot in a wall thereof through which thebutton passes, one branch ol the slot being parallel with the plane otmovement ot the brush and in which branch the button oscillates duringthe normal operation of the device, said button being` operable whenshifted to the intersection ot the branches to shift the brush out Iofengagement with the rotating mechanism and permanently open the circuitcontrolled thereby, and by lateral movement into the other branch ot theslot lock the brush in disengaged position.

16. ln a time switch, a switch mechanism having a rotary device, clockmechanism for rotating` the device, a dial plate rotatable with thedevice, said device having relatively adjustable insulating and contactmembers each of said members having an operatingr arm extending adjacentthe periphery of the dial plate and accessible for varying the amountthat the contact member extends in the rear of the insulating member andthereby varying the periods 1n which the current will he turned on andoil', an indicator plate adjustably carried by each arm and overhangingthe dial plate, and m/eans for adjusting the arms about the dial plateand` securing' them thereto.

1T. In a time switch, a switch mechanism having a. rotary device, clockmechanism tor rotatingr the deviic, a dial plate rotatable with thedevice, said device having adjustable members with operating arms eX-tendingf adjacent the periphery of the dial plate for varying theperiods in which the current will be turned on and olf, an indicatorplate adjustably carried by each arm and over-hanging the dial plate,iabutton having a. reduced end threaded into the end of each arm andprojectingforwardly past the dial plate. and a clamping plate on thereduced cud ot cach button and overlying the dial plate whereby when abutton is threaded into its arm the dial. plate will be clamped betweenthe clamping plate and the arm and the arms thereby secured to the dialplate for movement therewith. I

18. In a time switch, a switch mechanism having a rotary device, clockmechanism for rotating the device, a dial plate rotatable with thedevice, said device having adjustable members with operating arms eX-tending adjacent the periphery of the dial plate for varying,r theperiods in which the current will be turned on and olf, an indicatorplate for each arm havinpa slot therein and an indicating portion, ascrew passing through the slot into each arm for adjustably securing'each indicator plate to its arm with its indicatingf portion adjacentthe dial plate, a button having,` a reduced end threaded into the end ofeach arm and projecting` forwardly past the dial plate` and a clamping'plate. on the reduced end ot each button and overlying` the dial platewhereby when a button is threaded into its arm the dial plate will beclamped between the clamping' plate and the arm and the arms therebysecured 'to the dial plate Yfor movement therewith.

in witness whereof', l hereunto subscribe my signature.

JE ttlltlll F. @Evtl/Milf.

